How did the empire expand through trade? BY OLIVIA CRAUS
Oxford Big Ideas ; Geography & History Chp 8 Pg 362
Information gathered from the text:
-
The Khmer Empire’s strong trade links to many Southeast Asian societies was pinnacle to its success and growth. They traded rice and fish mostly because of their mass rice production and steady fish breeding, which majorly boosted their economy. The Mekong River was used as a primary trade route to connect the Khmer society to North and South societies. Over time, the number of trading relationships grew, expanded and developed. Trade routes connected them with South-Indian ports by 1100, which marked a great achievement. As time passed, the people continued further developing inland routes across Southeast Asia.The trade majorly helped the economy, so that it was stronger than any of Angkor’s nearby rivals. Their trading both supported their economy and strengthened wealth, that lead to their intricate designs and luxurious temple complexes, still in Angkor to this day.
What the text means:
-Their trading connections developed gradually over time, they did not just start as one of the strongest trading societies.
-The trading was instrumental in their growing economy, so if they did not take advantage of the perfect rice cultivation conditions and ideal fish breeding, not only would their diets be worse but, they would have less trading power and nothing with high trading value.
-The intricate temples and their designs would have been non-existent without the support from their trade.
-The Mekong River made traveling for trade much easier for the people, because without it, the people would have had to travel by foot.
Questions developed due to the text:
When did they start trading? Other than rice and fish, did the Khmer people have anything else to offer for trade? Who discovered the trade routes through the Mekong River?
OPINION PIECE: Overall, the Khmer Empire had such great strength, power and economy due to its successful rice and fish trading. The Khmers utilised their geographics by running so many successful rice cultivation fields, and fish breeding grounds but, on top of that, it was extremely initiative to go ahead and make a trading empire with their strengths. It is obvious that the Khmers did not start as a major trading empire, and tailed behind India however, through lots of work, they worked themselves up the trading ladder with their fish and rice trade. If it were not for trade, the Khmer Empire would have had a much weaker economy and many of the famous temples would be not existent.
what were the angkor empire trades
http://www.ancient.eu/Khmer_Empire/
By the 7th century CE, Khmer people inhabited territories along the Mekong river -the world’s seventh longest river - from the delta to roughly the modern Cambodia-Laos border, plus the region between that river and the great Tonle Sap lake to the west and the area running along the Tonle Sap river . There were several kingdoms at constant war against each other, with art and culture heavily influenced by India due to long established sea trade routes with that subcontinent.
Hinduism mostly, but Buddhism as well, were important religions in the region, mixed with animist and traditional cults. Important cities from that time include Angkor Borei, Sambor Prei Kuk, Banteay Prei Nokor and Wat Phu. A man called Jayavarman II, who is said to have come from a place named Java - which may or may not be the island we call Java in Southeast Asia, led a series of successful military campaigns, subjugating most of these petty kingdoms, that resulted in the founding of a large territorial state. In 802 CE he took the title chakravartin, “universal ruler”, and that date is used to signal the start of the empire
what the text mean
-
-
-
questions about the text
-why do places have trades
-were they very important trades or not
-why do you need trades